County accepts 6-year transportation plan; public works reports two new federal safety grants

Amy Stagg, Public Works, opened the public hearing on the county’s six‑year transportation plan (2026–2031) and said the county advertised the hearing for two weeks; she reported no public comments had been received.

Josh Thompson, county engineer, summarized requirements and recent changes to the plan: county projects that use federal or County Road Administration Board (CRAB) funds or are regionally significant must be listed. He said the county recently learned it will receive at least two federally funded safety projects, including multiple guardrail sections on several county roads; he said federal awards could bring nearly $2 million in federal safety funds for the county.

Thompson also said the department plans to seek a survey-grade global‑positioning system (GPS) unit (quoted at about $33,000) because the county’s existing surveying equipment is aged beyond repair. He described options to buy on state contract or rent equipment and suggested treating the GPS instrument as ER&R (equipment‑rental) inventory to charge projects for use.

Commissioners discussed revenue/expenditure assumptions in the plan; one commissioner noted the six‑year revenue-and-expenditure analysis that supports the plan shows reduced maintenance and preservation compared with the prior plan and cautioned that cost escalation could reduce work levels next year. Thompson and commissioners discussed potential public meetings to explain road-service levels and the possibility of a levy lid lift to increase road funding.

A commissioner moved to approve Resolution 102‑2025 adopting Public Works’ six‑year transportation improvement program for 2026–2031. The motion text and vote were recorded on the meeting record. Commissioners and staff agreed to follow up if federal awards require an amendment to add newly funded guardrail projects to the adopted plan.